Hmong New Year celebrations kick off this weekend

Michelle Lor of Wausau laughs as she plays the traditional ball-tossing game with a male partner at the Hmong New Year celebration at Greenheck Field House in Weston, Saturday, November 2, 2013.(Photo: Dan Young/Daily Herald Media, Dan Young/Daily Herald Media)Buy Photo

This Saturday and Sunday, community members are invited to say goodbye to the old year and welcome in the new at the annual Wausau Area Hmong New Year Celebration, hosted by the the Hmong American Center at the Greenheck Field House in Schofield. The two day-long event is a celebration of Hmong culture and customs, as well as a time for community members to reconnect with their friends and families, said Khoua Vang Thao, the co-chair of the New Year Planning Committee. The event has been happening in the area since the early 1980s, Vang Thao said.

As in past years, this weekend's festivities will include presentations from speakers who will discuss the Hmong community's progress since migrating to the U.S. almost 40 years ago, a fashion show, cultural performances, talent shows and other traditions like ball tossing and the singing of Hmong folk songs. There will also be vendors selling ethnic foods and a variety of booths auctioning off a range of goods, Vang Thao said. On Saturday evening, the celebrations will come to a climax with live music performances and a talent competition where teams will compete in traditional Hmong dance, modern dance, singing and kmv txhiag, which is traditional Hmong folk singing. The evening event is an ideal night out for adults and couples, Vang Thao said.

This weekend's event is the perfect opportunity for those interested to learn more about Hmong culture, said Xiong Vang, co-chair of the New Year planning committee.

"This is a great occasion for the Hmong community and for the non-Hmong community to come together," he said.

The New Year festivities will kick off at 10 a.m. Saturday with an opening ceremony.

Yeng Tha of Wausau makes papaya salad at the Hmong New Year celebration on Sunday at Greenheck Field House in Weston.
Mai Khang, left, of Pardeeville and Yeng Tha of Wausau make papaya salad at the Hmong New Year celebration at Greenheck Field House in Weston, Sunday, November 2, 2014.(Photo: Dan Young/Gannett Central Wiscon)

Celebrate Hmong New Year this weekend

When: Celebrations run from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. On Saturday night, there will be live music and entertainment from 6 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.

Where: Greenheck Field House, 6400 Alderson St., Schofield

Cost: Day admission is $3. Admission for Saturday night is $10 in advance or $12 at the door. Admission is free for those under 10 and 65 and older.

More information: More information on this weekend's event can be found at the Hmong American Center's website, wausauhmong.org.

Going Out Reporter Melanie Lawder can be reached at melanie.lawder@gannettwisconsin.com or 715-845-0607. Find her on Twitter as @mel_lawder or follow her on Instagram as @mellawder.